The Urban Geography of Jerusalem Through the Ages

(4 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

The course follows the history of Jerusalem, a city which for thousands of years was, and still is, a meeting place between religions and cultures. Through a series of lectures, using a multi-disciplinary approach, the students will explore political, cultural, urban and geographical topics related to one of the holiest cities on earth, in order to better understand the complex processes which shaped both its history, geography and its present situation. Topics include: an overview of the history of Jerusalem from the 19th century B.C. to modern times; the historical geography and archaeology of the city; religious traditions of the three major monotheistic religions within the city and the reasons why Jerusalem has become one of the holiest cities on earth; encounters with the primary texts related to Jerusalem.